Mattress-sewing machine.



PATENTE@ am; 23,-.,1906. oqNqpams. MATTRESS SEWXNG MACHINE; A PPLIOATI'ON hun Aul. 1901. RENBWED JUNE 15, 1905.

juif/Jefa; verw No. 810,882. PATENTED JAN-2s, 1906.

G. Nu PHELPS.

MATTRESS SEWING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.31. 1901. BBNBWED JUNE 15. 1995.

10 SHEETS-SHEET l (am I PATENTED JAN. 23, 1906.

. o. N. PHELPS.

MATTRESS SEWING MAGHINE.,.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.31.19014l EENEWBD JUNE 415. 1905.

' 10 SHEETS-SHEET 8. v

PATENTED JAN. 23, 1906.

`; No. 810,882. K

- c. N. PHELPS.

MATTRESS SEWING- MACHINE.

. APPLIUATION FILED AUG.31. 1901. RENEWED JUNE 15. 1905.

10 SHEETS-SHEET" 9.

#5MM/LL@ Zwama-qm N9. 810,882 PATBNTBD JANS, 1906,l

c. N. PHELPs.

MATTRESS SEWING' MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.31. 1901. BBNEWED JUNE 15, 1905.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 10.

I, CHARLES N. PHELPS, OF LAGRANGE, ILLlNOIS.

MATTRESS-v-SEWING MACHINE.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 23, 1906.

Application filed August 31, 1901. Renewed June 15, 1905. Serial No. l265,432.

.T0 /LZZ Loh/07m t may concern.

Be 1t known that l, CHARLEs N. PnELrs, of Lagrange, in the county 0i Cook and State ol illinois, have invented certain new and useful Im )rovcments in Mattress-Sewing Machines; anv I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference markedthercon, which form a part 'of this specification.

This invention relates to a novel sewing- Ymachine designed more particularly for the provide a machine by the use of which this work, which has heretofore been done by hand, may be automatically accomplished by machinery.

A further object of the invention is to produce a mechanism in a machine for the general purpose specified for giving relative movement to the work-support or table and the needle (and which may be produced by positive oscillatory movement of either.` of said parts) whereby the proper inclinationy is given to wthe stitches and the Work is advanced relatively to the needle during the 'formation of each stitch, thereby producing a continuous running stitch Ylrom beginning to the end of the work. The particular mechanism shown herein for producing suoli movement may be adapted to other uses.

A still .further object o'l the invention is to produce a take-u p mechanism 'for use in sewing-machines constructed to take upror Withdraw the slack end of the thread from the work after the formation of each stitch and to draw or tighten the stitches in the work.

.My invention .has other features and objects, which will more fully appear in the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made.

As shown in said drawings, liigurc 1 is a plan View of a machine embodying features constituting my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse Vertical section thereof, taken through the machine at the left side of the'needle-aen tuating mechanism. Fig. 3 is a transverse showing t vertical section of the machine, taken therethrough at the right side of the needle-actuating mechanism. Fig. 4 is a plan section taken on-the indirect line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail seotion'taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a detailsection taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a vertical detail section showing the pms or rods on which the table is oscillated to produce the proper inclination ofthe stitches and by which the table is given afprogressive step-by-step movement. Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the actuating-lever for giving oscillatory motion to saidtable. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front elevation showing the parts illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. Fig, 10 is a side elevation of the machinehead, on which are mounted the needleguides and the holders and also the mechanism for o erating Said holders, said view iie relation of said guides to the work-supporting table. Fie. 11 is a view similar to that of Fig. 10, showing changed ositions of the parts illustrated therein. `ig. 11a is a side elevation of the upper end'of the notched rod forming part of the device for taking up the slack end of the thread. Fig. 12 is a fragmentary front elevation of the machine, showing the parts of the take- `up mechanism by which the slack end of the thread is drawn from the work. F ig. 13 is a transverse se l'tion of the needle guide and holder,l taken on line 13 13 of Fig. 15. Fig. 14 is arear face View of a fragment of said needle-guide. Fig. 15 is a longitudinal section of one of the needle-holders, showing the needle therein and the means for removably securing said needle in the holder and showing also the holder-guide in elevation. Fig. 15 is a side elevation of the sewing-needle. Fig. 16 is a fragmentary front elevation showing principally the work-table, a mattress thereon, the presser-foot for holding the mattress on the table, andthe lifting-rod for lifting the mattress at the beginning oll each stitch. Fig. 17 is a transverse section of some of the parts shown in Fig. 16 and illustrating the elevated position o'l the lifting-rod and also the mechanism for actuating said rod. Fig. 18 is a view similar to that ot' Fig. 17, showing the lifting-rod 'in its lower-most position and the limit-ross held down against the supporting-table. taken through the mattress, showing the l'orin oi' stitches produced by the machine. Fig. 2U is a transverse section taken through the nnitlress to illustrate the position of the Fig. lJ is an obliquefsection 4 f device.

The work of side-stitching mattresses and cushions has heretofore been done by hand by the use of a double-pointed needle, (illustrated in Fig. l 5 of the drawings herein,) said needle being provided near one end with an eye through which the thread is passed or threaded. After the needle has been threaded one end of the thread is knotted to prevent said end of the thread being drawn through the mattress, and said knotted end ofthe thread is pulled downwardly away from the needle a sufficient distance to permit the first stitch to be formed before the knotted end of the thread is arrested or against the edge section of the mattress. In beginning the stitch the end of the needle remote from the eye thereof is first passed obliquely upwardly through the edge sectionof the mattress-tick toward the top section thereof and is also inclined toward the end or side of the mattress in the direction in which the line of stitches'is to be formed.

'The advance end of the needle is passed through the corner of the mattress and out at the top thereof, saidneedle being advanced until the eye and the looped part of the thread have passed through the stu'liin materialrbut said thread is not carrie( sisting of a single thread through the top section ofthe mattress-tick. The needle is new turned at an opposite inclination with the eye end directed obliquely toward the end of the mattress in the direction in which the line'of stitches is to be formed and is repassed downwardly through the stuffing material and out at the edge section of the mattress-tick, said needle being passed entirely through said edge section of the cover an`d carrying with it the two parts of the thread. After the eye ofthe needle has emerged from the edge section of the tick in its return movement to complete a stitch the slack or free end of the thread is grasped and pulled through the mattress vand the stitch thereby; tightened, said stitch, when the slack end of the thread is withdrawn, conof inverted-V shape, the apex of which is located near the top section ofthe mattress. This operation is repeated for each stitch, the needle being alternately thrust into and returnedfrom the mattress and the inclination thereof alternating in the entering and return movements to produce a line of zigzag running stitches from the beginning to the end of the work.

'i As before stated, it isfone ofthe principal objects of the invention to produce a madrawn tightly A chine for automatically effecting the work described, and said machine herein shown is constructed with two reciprocating needleholders, one on each side of the work, said holders operating in unison, one holder thrusting the needle through the work from one side thereof and the other holder receiving said needle and returning it through the work to be again delivered to sai d vfirst holder, and so on, said holders alternately thrusting the needle through the work and the needle being alternately received by and released from said holders, which latter take the place of a sewers hands in producing the handwork. Mechanism is also provided for taking up the slack end of the thread to withdraw the same from the work'and tighten the stitch at the completion thereof and also for effecting what'ever operations that are re-A quired to render the machine automatic in its action, 'as` will hereinafter more fully apear.

p As shown in the drawings, A designates the horizontal base of the machine.

Al A2 designate upper and lower platforms, respectively. which are supported on standards rising from the base.. The lower platformv is designed to support actuating mechanism of the machine, and the upper horizontal platform supports thereon a movable table B, which latter supports the mattress or other work while the same is being sewed or stitched. Said table B is supported on the platform A through the medium of antifriction-roller casters B, attached to the table and rolling on said platform.

C designates a column or standard rising from the base A and located in front of the platforms A A2 lcentrally of the machine. Said column is provided at its upper end with a head C, to which is attached a needlevguide-supporting plate D and also mechanism for actuating the after to be described.

A3 designates a main driving-shaft which is mount-ed in bearing-standards A5 A6 A7, supported on the lower platform A2, and from needle-holders, hereina portion of the IOO IIO

which shaft the various mechanisms hcreinafter to be described are driven.

First referring to the construction and operation of the needle supporting and actuating devices, these parts are made as follows: Said needle-guide-supporting plate l) is attached by screws fl to the head and occupies a forwardly and downwardly inclined position on said head. Said plate is provided at its longitudinal center with a dowmvardlyopening recess into which the work projects, and the needle-holders E are supported in said plate at opposite' sides of said recess, as shown in Figs. l0 and 1l. Said .needle-hold- .ers reciprocate in guide-grooves formed between upper and lower lateral flanges D D onsaid plate. The parts of said holders oecupylng said guide-grooves are provided at erases their upper and lower edges with retainingfrooves, in which fit triangular ribs on the iianges D, and the inner faces of said holders bear against Vthe side faces of the plate, as shown in Fig. 13, said parts being thus con- 'structed'to afford an ample bearing-surface lbetween the holders and the guides. Said holders are pro vided with apertures to receive the needle E', said apertures opening toward each other. Said holders reciprocate toward and from the central recess in the plate D, each holder alternately receiving the needle from the other and on the next inward throw delivering `the needle to said otherv holder. The corner of the mattress or cushion F resting on the table Bprojects into the downwardly-opening recess in the plate D. between the holders, so that as the needle is assed from one holder to the other it passes into or lthrough said mattress and carries the thread with it.' 'The needle (shown in Fig.

15a) is pointed at both ends and provided near o'ne end with a thread-receiving eye e. Said holders are provided with pivoted spring-'actuated latches E2, Figs. 13 and 15, which pass through slots in the holders and are adapted to press at their inner sides against the needles therein, as shown in Fig. 1 5. Each of said latches is provided with a rigid arm e', which is engaged lby a spring e2, which acts to hold the latch a rainst the needle to lock the latter in the holder. In the reci rocation of the needle-holders one of sai holders is moved to the inner end of its guide-groove, thereby passing the needle through the work, and before said holder is retracted the other holder is moved to the inner end of its groove and the free end of the needle, which projects through the work, en-

ters said last-mentioned holder and is locked therein by the latch E2, the latch of the other holder at this time releasing the other end of the needle. The means for actuating the said latches to release the needle from said holders consists of short rigid arms a, Figs. 10, 11, 13, and 15, attached to the guide-flanges D and projecting over the pathsof the holders and in position to strike the arms e of the latches E2 when the holders reach the inner limit of their travel, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11. The ends of the needles may be fiattened or made polygonal in cross-section and may Ifurther be-provided with notches at their ends adapted to be engaged bylugs e5 on the latches, as shown in Fig. 22. Said needle-holders are reciprocated in their guidegrooves by means of vertically-oscillating levers D2, which are pivoted at their upper endsto pivot-pinsdg, attached to the head, and are pivotally connected at their lower ends to laterally-directed pins D3, Figs. 13 a'nd 14, which pass through slots in said levers and' guide-slots in. the supporting-plate D and are attached rigidly to t .65

e holdersE. Said levers D2 are secured to said pivot-pins on the column C and head C.

D3 between the heads d3 of said pins and 4 which is affixed rigidlyto a rotative shaft D5,

passed transversely throughand mounted inearings in the head C. Said disk is provided on its inner face with a pinor crank d5. (Indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 10 and 1 1.) D6 D designate endWise-reciprocatorybars which are pivoted at their outer ends to the oscillatory levers D2 between the pivots d2 of` said levers and the holders. Said bars are slotted and engage guide-bolts d6, which are secured to the head, said guide-bolts maintaining said bars in approximately straight paths of travel in the endwise reciprocatlon thereof. The bars D6 are provided at their l inner ends with grooved heads D7, which fit against the face of the disk D4 and the grooves o which face toward the disk and are adapted to be alternately engaged 4by the crankpin d5 of said disk. The grooves in said head are formed between parallel flanges i7 d8 on said head, which are disposed at right angles to the bars, andsaid grooves are located in the path of travel of said pin or'crank d5. When said pin d5 in its circular path of travel enters one of the grooves, it bears againstthe longer or outermost flange d8 and lforces the bar D6 endwise outwardly, thereby oscillating the lever D2 to carry the connected holder from the inner to the outer end of its guidegroove and away from the work supported on the table B. The retractive movement of the holder continues until the pin has passed half-way through the groove ofthe IOO said pin through the groove the pin exerts pressure against the innermost flange (Z7 and acts, through the bar'D and levcr'Dl, to reverse the movement of the holder and carry the same, together with the needle, inwardly toward the work. The parts described are so arranged that when one of the `holders has been moved to its innermost position and starts the needle through the work and before its retractive movement begins the other holder is moved inwardly to grasp the needle and complete its passage through the work. Said shaft D5 is provided at its end remote from the disk D4 with a beveled gear-wheel D8, Figs. 1 and 3, which meshes with a beveled gear-pinion D", affixed to the upper end of a rotative shaft D1", mounted in bearings The shaft D10 is driven from ther main driving-shaft A3 of the machine, through the medium of an oblique rotative shaft D, provided at its for- Ward end with a beveled gear-wheel D12,

-which meshes with a beveled gear-pinion D3 on the lower end of the shaft D19. and the tively to the horizontal table.

shaft Du is rovided at its rear end with a gearinion l, Which meshes with a @fearwheel A4, affixed to said main driving-s aft, as shown more clearly in Figs. 4 and 6. In order to prevent the'lower needle-holder from sliding outwardly away from the inner end of the guide and the Work after it has been moved to its innermost position and before the needle is returned'thereto by the upper holder, a spring Da is applied, which tends to maintain said holder 1n its innermost position. Said spring, as herein shown, consists of a spiral contractile spring which is attached at one end to the lowermost lever D2 and at its other end to ,the head, as shown in Figs. 2, 10, and l1.

In the operation of the devices described the needle-holders are given alternate longitudinal reciprocation toward and from the Work, one of said holders thrusting the needle through the work from one side thereof and the other holder receiving the needle after the advance end thereof has passed through the work and drawing the saine and the thread through the work. Said last-mentioned holder` is in turnreversed in its nievement, inserts the needle through the work, and delivers the same to the first holder, these operations being repeated until the linc of stitching is completed.. The lino of stitching formed .by the .thread e is a -zigzag running stitch, the thread passing obliquely into the edge section f of the mattresstick toward the top section f/ thereof and at a laterally-oblique angle with respect to the direction of the line of the stitching to be formed.

The first half of the stitch terniinatcsshort of the top section of the tick and does not pass through sail section and is reversed and rcturns to and through the side section thereof at a divergent angle with respect to the lirst half of the stitch, each completed stitch having the form of an inverted V, as more clearly shown in Fig. 19. The upward inclination is given to the stitch by reason of the inclination of the needle-guide-supporting plate relalt is obvious, however, that the same result will be produced if the plate be made horizontal and the table inclined, although the arrangement herein shown is a preferred one.

In anautomatic machine for accomplishing the side-stitching described it isv necessary in order that the needle may enter thc work at the proper angle that the work-table B and the nee(lle-supporting mechanism be given relatively oscillatory movement, and it is also necessary in order to present successive parts' of the work to the action of the needle to produce' a progressive stepby-step movement of the wori.-table relative to the needlesupporting mechanism. far as the broader aspect of the invention is concerned, such relative oscillatory progressive movements of the work-table and needle As before stated, so

may be produced by positive movement of either of said parts. In the present instance, however, I have shown the needle supporting and guiding mechanism as'stationary andthe needle as reciprocating in a straight line, while the work-supporting table B is given oscillatory movement with respect to the needle in order togive the proper inclination `of the needle to the work in forming the stitches, and said table-actuating mechanism is also shown as constructed to give to the tablea progressive or step-by-step movement as the stitches are formed. For this purpose I have herein shown the table as arranged to swing or oscillate on* two p'vot-pins which are laterally separated in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the table and which are so constructed and actuated that the table oscillates alternately thereon, the table swinging in one direction on one pin and in the other direction on the other ain. Said pins are each clamped to the tale at the time the table swings thereon to prevent the table slippingbackwardly with respect to its pivot, one pin in each swing of the table being clamped to the table and the other being free. Each pin is therefore clamped to a part of the table in advance of the point of engagement of the pin therewith on which ythe table is last swung, thereby slightly advancing the table in each oscillation thereof. 'lhe particular mechanism herein shown for effecting this result is made as follows: The work-table is provided on its under surface with two continuous parallel d(wn'wardly-opening grooves BZ B, which are indicated in do'tted lines in liig. 1 and in t'nll lines in Figs. 2, 3, 7, and 8. Said grooves are parallel with each other and with the side and end margins of the table. Said grooves are covered by means of slotted plates B4 B5, which are attached to the under face ofsaid table, the slots in said plates permitting ackcess to the grooves B2 B3 of the pivot-pins and other devices for giving oscillatory movenient to the table. G G', Fig. 7, designate two laterally-separated pivot-pins on which the table alternately oscillates or swings. Said pins arc located one in front of the other and pass upwardly through the forward margin of the upper platform A of the machineframe and through 'a block (la, interposed between the forward edge of the table and the platform. rl`he upper ends ol' said pins pass through the slots in the plates l* l and arc provided with heads g g, which occupy the grooves B2 Bi". Said pins (i G are yieldingly connected with the opposite ends ol' a vertimilly-oscillatory lever G2, which is pivoted between its endsto a horizontal pivotpin attached to upright posts or standards Gf, extending between and attached at their upper and lower ends to the upper and lower platforms A/ A'in the manner shown in Fig. 9. The connections between the said lever roo G2 and the pins are made as follows: Said pins are provided at their lower ends with flanges or disks g4, on which rest spiral springs G4, surrounding the lower ends of said pins.

g5 y desi nateshort plates which are apertured an slipped over the pins G G above the springG4tliereon. G5 G5 esignate inverted loops or clips which are engaged at their centra plates by nuts in the manner shown in Figs..

7 and 9. The pins G G and cli s G5 are' made of such length that when the ever G2 is tilted on its pivot in 'one direction one of said pins will be pulled downwardly to bring the ead thereoninto contact with and clamped agaiiist the associated .Slotted plate B4 or B5, as the eas# may be, y, hile tlie other pin will be rais #d Vith the heifd thereof out of contact 'with if-s associated slotted plate, as shown in Fig. 7. The springs G4, interposed between said lever and the heads of the pins, make such pressure a yielding pressure; but said springs will be made of a strengthl to exert,

through the heads of said bolts on thcslot ted plates, pressure sufficient to prevent said table slipping on the block :Ga whenit is swung or oscillated on or about said depressed pin. The lever G2 is provided with a rigid arm G", which latter is connected by a link G7 with a crank g?, affixed to the end of a rotative shaft G2, mounted in the bearingstandards A6 A7, as shown in Fig. 4, in front of the mainI shaft A3. vided with a gear-wheelG", which meshes with a gear-wheel A2 on the main "drivingshaftv A3, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and through which mechanism oscillatory motion, is imparted from said driving-shaft to the leverG-2. The gear-wheel A2 on the main i driving-shaft, which meshes withv the gearrotation of the shaft.

wheel G", is mutilated, one-half of its periphery being blank or without gear-teeth, so

that'said driving-shaft imparts movement to said ivot-pins during but one-half of each Said shaft GB is rovided just inside the vbearing-standar -A7 with a disk G10, Figs. 4 and 5, provided with '.two peripheral notches, which are adapted to.

be engaged by a pawl G, pivotally supported on the standard A7, said notched disk and pawl preventing backward rotation of said shaft during its periods of'rest, and thereby maintaining the clamped relation ofsaid depressed pin'wi'th respect tothe table. .With thetconstruction described when one o'fthe pivot-pins G' G is shown in Fig. 7, the ead thereof clamps the vassociatedslotted plate B4 or B5 between said head and the filling-block G, and if horizontal pressure be at this time applied to said table at oneV side of said pivot-pin it will cause the Said shaft' G8 is pro-,

ulled downwardly, as'

table to oscillate about said pivot-pin, the other pin at this time being raised and not interfering' with such oscillatory movement. The slots in the plates B4 B5 are made wider than the pivot-pins to permit free movement of the table with respect to the pin which is raised at the time said table swings or oscillates. In the next operation of the shifting pivot-pins and actuating mechanism therefor the pin previously de ressed is raised and the pin previously raise; is depressed, so as to serve as a pivot for the, table in the return movement or swing thereof, said pins thus alternately serving as the Vpivots about which the table is swung. By reason of the fact that the axis of oscillation of the table is shifted in tion, said table is given a progressive step-bystep movement which continues until thetable makes a complete turn or rotation, so as to present all parts of the work to the needle.

The mechanism herein shown for imparting such oscillatory movement to the table is made as follows: H, Figs. 2 and 8, designates a vertically oscillatory lever, which is pivoted on a horizontalpivot-pin h in the upperplatform A', said lever passing through an opening in said platform and being provided atits upper end with a reduced part `which passes through the slot of the innermost plate B4 and enters the innermost pivot 'groove B2. Said lever passes through a guide-bracket H5,

depending from the platform A and is pivoted at'its lower end to-an endwise-reciproeating link or bar H ,which latter is pivoted' at its'rear end to the outer end of a crankarm H2, Figs. 2 and 4, aflixedto a rotative IOO shaft H3, mounted in the-bearing A7 and a bearing Ac. Said shaft H3 is provided with a gear-pinion H4, which meshes with a gearpinion A", affixed to the extremeend of the main driving-shaft A3, as shown in Figs. 2'

and 7. Said gear-pinion A is mutilated, one-half of the periphery thereof being blank, sov that said driving-shaft imparts movement to the oscillatory mechanism described dui'- ing one-half of the\rotation of said shaft. This mechanism is se timed with respect to the shifting-pivot mechanism that the lever His oscillated to swing the table immediately after the shifting-'pivot mechanism has been IIO ris

actuated 'to 'depress one -of the pivot-pins, i

said two mechanisms o eratin alternately during each rotation of) the riving-shaft. The inner pivot-pin is located approximately in vertical alinement with the upper'ends of the stitches asthey are formed and the table swings on the innermost pivot-pin when'the needle is in its, uppermost position and is be- ,ingv repassed through the work. This arrangement" is preserved in order to revent the needle injuring the mattress-tic when the mattress is os'cillated at this time, which would be likelyto occur if the pivot-pinvere ill , beginning of each stitch. This mechanism is ratedit'd engage the mattress to afford a iirm shown more clearly in Figs.v 2, 3, 4,16, 17, and 18 and is made asfollows: I designates a verticallyreciprocatory lifting-bar, which has sliding engagement between its ends in a looped bracket I', secured to the front margin ofthe upper platform A of the machinefrainefand is provided at its upper end with an *imtiirned head which is roughened or serhold thereon, so that when the bar is lifted the edge of the mattress is raised off the table in the manner shown in Fig. 17. Said bar is given vertically-reciprocatory movement through the medium of an oscillatory lever I2, which is pivoted between its ends to the upper .end of a standard I?, rising from the p atform A2 at one end to the lower end of said lifting-bar and has slotted connection at its other end with a crank I, Figs. 2 and 17, which is attached rigidly to a shaft I5, located vertically over the driving-shaft, Fig. 5, and which has bearing in the standards A. A7, one end of said shaft extending beyond the bearing` A7 and the crank being attached to said extended end. Said shaft I5 is rotated by means of a gear-wheel I6 thereon which meshes with a gear-pinion A1n on the drivingshaft A3. timed with respect to the other parts of the machine'that the lifting-bar is raised to its uppermost position just prior to the entrance of the needle to the side section of the mattress in forming the iirst half of a stitch and is depressed to bring said bar into the lowermost position prior to the return of the needle in completing the latter half of the stitch.

The margins of the table are provided with -inclosing rails of flanges B6, which prevent displacement of the mattress or cushion thereon while being stitched, and the upper face of the table is provided just inside said rails with inclinedstrips B7, the purpose of which is to throw the outer edges of the inattress upon which the needle acts in a position slightly inclined away from the needle, 'as

shown in Figs. 10, 11, and 18. In order to press that part of the mattress operated upon by the needle firmly against the table at the time the needle is being passed upwardly through the mattress, a presser-foot J is provided which bears upon the upper surface of the mattress adjacent to the edge thereof.

The mechanism described is so The shank J of said presser-foot is attached to or formed on the strap J2 of an eccentric J3, as more clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Said eccentric is attached to a short shaft J4, which passes through and has bearing in the head Cf, and a bracket c extending inwardly :from said head. Said shaft J1 is provided on its end remote from the eccentric with a gear-wheel J5, Figs. 1 and 3, which meshes with a gear-pinion D, attached'to the outer end of the shaft D5 at the side of the gearpinion D8 thereon. Through the connections described the presser-foot is depressed upon the mattress once during each `operation of the machine, such depression occurring at the time the needle is being inserted upwardly through the edge section of the mattress.

Means are provided in connection with the sewing mechanism described for withdrawing or taking up the slack end of the thread as each stitch is formed, it being understood that in forming the first stitch one end of the thread is made tight to the mattress by knotting the said thread in the usual manner, and that after said first stitch is formed the entire length of the slack end of the thread is withdrawn from the mattress. It is desirable that the entire length cf the slack end of the thread should bc withdrawn or taken up prior to the commencing of the-next succeeding stitch, although it is not imperative that the withdrawal be completed at this time by the use of the mechanism herein described, as will hereinafter more fully appear. 'lhe length of thread at the beginning of the stitching operation mayand desirably will be sull'icient to pass entirely around the mattress without renewing the thread, and .in such case the length of the slack end of the thread is such as to render it necessaryto employ active and prompt means for withdrawing the thread. The length of said slack end of the thread of course becomes gradually less as the stitches are formed. The mechanism herein shown for effecting this part of the operation as follows: li Ii, Figs. 1,2, 3, and 12, designate two vertically-arranged rollers which rotate on vertical axes and are atlixed to the upper ends of shafts KL K3, rotatively mounted in vertical bearings l' r, attached to the forward margins of the upper plat-'form A. of the machine l'ramc. The roller K is made of considerably greater diameter than the roller li, and said rollers have peripheral contact throughout the principal parts of their length. Said roller K is made longer than the roller l, and the upper end KA1 of said roller li, which extends beyond the roller li', .is made conical. The upper end of the roller li is also made slightly conical, this arrangement facilitating the passage of the thread downwardlyI between the rollers by the means to be hereinafter described. Said rollers will desir-ably beprovided with a friction -producing covering,

IOO

4o scent of the vbar and pulling said slack end of l such as rubber, as indicated in Fig. 12, thereherein efore described, as follows: K5^designates a vertical shaft which is mounted at its lower end in a bearing-bracket k2, depending from the u per platform A of the machine-frame, an at its' upper end in a bearing ka, attached to the front mar in of said platform. Said shaft 'K5 is provi ed at its lower end with abeveled gear-pinion K5, which meshes with a beveled gear-pinion K7, affixed on the shaft D11. The shaft K5 is rovided at its upper end with a sprocketeel K5, Fig. 12, and the shaft K2 of the larger roller is provided with a smaller sprocketwheel K, and said sprocket-wheels KB K11 are connected by a sprocket-belt K10. With this .construction the roller K is continuously rotated from the main driving-shaft of the machine, and owing to the size-of said roller and to the adjustmentv of the gear connections which drive the same from the shaft D11 a high peri heral speed isl imparted to said rollers. T e slack end of the .thread is drawn between said rollers K K at the coinpletion of each stitch by-means of a notched drawing-bar L, Figs. 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, and 1111, which,k is pointed at its upper end and is provided near said end with a downwardlyopening notch l. Said bar when the needle has been withdrawn from the mattress in the completion of the stitch is arranged to rise betweenA the free or slack end of the thread and the needle and to thereafter descend, the

notch l hooking over the thread in the dethe thread downwardly between the rollers, said thread bein drawn down over the conical part of thea conical part of the said roller guided between the two rollers. The mechanism for actuating said notched bar L is shown in Figs. 2, 3,

` main part of the lever,'an

4, and 6, and .is made as follows: L designates a horizontally-oscillating vlever which is pivoted at its forward end to the lower end of said notched bar L and has bearing between its ends in a shortupri'ght standard L, rising from the lower platform A2 of the machine frame. tween its ends' toA form a straight portion Z, disposed generally at ri ht angles to the which part l constitutes the bearing part' of the lever. The end ofthe lever remote from the drawingbar is pivotally connected with the lower end of a link La, Fig. 3, and the u per end of said link is pivoted to the forwar end-of a verticall -oscillatory lever L4, which latteris pivote near its ,rear end upon a horizontal pivot-,pin Z2, attached to the upper end of a rger roller K and by' said Said .lever L is bent Vbe-f vertical standard Z3, rising from the platform A2 of the machine-frame. The rear end of said lever L4 is adapted for contact with a cam-arm L5, afIiXed to the horizontal shaft4 I5, which operates the lifting-bar I before described. Said rear end of the lever L'1 is provided with a rigid arm L5, which extends rearwardly and upwardly therefrom, and to the outer or rear endof said arm is attached one end of a spiral contractile spring L7, the

other end of which spring is attached to a screw-eye Z4, aixed in the lower platform A2 of the machine-frame. In the operation of this part of the mechanism the drawing-bar 1 L is thrown u wardly, into its uppermost position, when t e highest part of t e cam-arm .L5 is engaged with the rear end of the lever L4, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, and when said cam-arm moves out of contact with said lever L4 the rear end of said lever is de ressed bythe action cf said spring L7, whic acts, through the link L3 and lever L', to retract the drawing-bar. l is so timed with respect to the'needle-holderactuating-mechanism that'said notched bar is elevated vat-the time theneedle is with- The mf hanism described drawn from the edge section of the mattress in the completion of a stitch, whereby said bar is caused to ass between the withdrawn needle and the s ack end of the thread. After said needle has been fully withdrawn the cam-arm L5 is moved out of contact with the lever L4 and the spring L7 acts, through the levers L1 L and link L3, to retract the drawing-bar. In the downward movement of the bar the notch thereof passes over the slack end of the thread and pulls the same downwardly between the drawing-rollers in vthe manner before described, said rollers thereafter drawing said slack end of the thread entirely from the mattress, preferably prior to the commencement of the succeeding stitch.

The diagrammatic views Figs, 23, 24, 25,

and 26 illustrate thefoperation of thev needle in the formation of the stitches and the action I'Io of the take-up device for withdrawing the slack end of the thread. In said figures the.-

mattress is shown as remaining stationary .and the needle inclined in order to produce the appropriate-inclination of they stitches to the mattress, this being the position assumed by the needle in hand-sewing and alsofwhen p the needle actuating mechanism'oscillates relative to the work table'. In Fig. 23 the. needle is shown as having been passed upwardly through the edge section of the matneedle-holder. (Not shown.) In Fig. 24;,

the needle is shown in the positionit occupies, afterit has been grasped by the upper holderizo'.

` tress in position to be grasped by theupper ISO ` with the exception of withdrawing the slack end of the thread. The shorter or knotted end of the thread has by this movement of the needle beendrawn tightly against the edge section of the mattress, and said end thereafter remains stationary. In the position of the needle shown in said Fig. 24 the drawing-bar L has passed upwardly between the slack end of the thread and' needle and in its retractive movement has drawn the said' thread outwardly. When the needle has completed the second stitch, as shown in Fig. 26, the rollers have completely withdrawn the slack end of the thread from the mattress.

. withdrawn from the mattress before the completion of the next succeeding stitch, this would not be objectionable, as if the second part of said slack end be engaged with the rollers before the first part were released therefrom the last of said parts to be engaged with the roller would be above the other, and there would be no tendency t0 become entangled. It is manifest that the construction of the take-up device described-to wit,

a device vlocated at one side of the work which operates in connection with a needle which passes through the work alternately from opposite sides thereof and constructed to withdraw or take up the slack end, of the thread from one side of the work only-may be applied to machines for operating on other kinds of work, and l do not wish to be limited to the application thereof herein illustrated.

lIn Fig. 21 is shown a modification ofthe machine designed to adapt the machine to mattresses of varying vertical thicknesses, .To this end the column whiclfsupports the needle-actuating mechanism and designated in said'figure as M is capable of vertical eX- pansion and contraction. For this purpose said column is shown as being made of an upper and a lower part,(lettered M M2, respectively,) and to the upper end of the part M is n attached the needle-mechanism-supporting head Ma, corresponding to the head. C', before described. The mechanism for expanding and contracting the column consists in this instance of aI vertical screw-shaft N inside-ofthe tubular column, mounted at its lower end in a step-bearingm at the base of the lower section M2. Said shaft passes at its-upper end through and has screw-threaded engagement at its upper end with a transverse bar lV 3 passing across the lower end of the upper section of the column. AifiXed to said shaft between the bar M3 and bearing m Should the thread be not completely` ed for engagement by another beveled earpinion O, aliixed to the inner end of a' orizontal shaft O, which latter passes outside of the column and is provided at its outer end with an actuating-handle'Oz. The shaft O has bearing in the wall of the lower section M2 of the column and passes through a vertical slot m in the upper section thereof. With this construction rotation of the shaft in one direction will cause the column `to be vertically elongated, and rotation thereof in the other, direction shortens the column. gear-Wheel D13 is shiftable on the shaft D1". The shaft D has bearing in a bracket D2", attached to the lower section of the telescopic column, whereby said shaft D11 and the gearwheel thereon remain stationary7 notwithstanding the vertical adjustment of the upper end of the column,w and the gear-wheels D12 D13 are maintained in meshing relation by sliding the latter wheel longitudinally of the shaft D10.

It will be understood, of course, that the mattress is stitched first on one rside and is The thereafter reversed and stitched on the other tress-cover which surround the mattress hav-v been'referred to and are referred to in the parts of the cover andv to prevent confusion.

At the same time the meaning of the technical term side-stitching employed by mattress-makers to designate the work for which this machine is especially applicable has not IOO been lost sight of, and the side referred to in such technical designation is herein referred to as the edge of the mattress. It will be understood, however, that so far as .the general operation of my machine is concerned it may be employed to produce stitches of other kinds to fasten4 the mattress-filling 1 to the.mattresscover.

It is obvious that the various structural IIO details above described `may be varied withone end thereof through the mattress and release the needle, means for supporting the mattress with its side and edge faces oblique to the path of movement of the needle, whereby said needle is passed through the mattress z .tive oscillatory movement to the needleholders and the mattress-supporting means,

vconstructed tov change the inclination of the path of the needlel in said loblique plane rela# tively to the side and edge faces of themat-4 tress.

2; A mattress-sewin machine comprising two reciprocating nee le-holders operating.

thereof, and means for oscillating `the supporting means and constructed to change the inclination of the path of the needle in said o :blique plane relatively to the sideand edge faces of the mattress.

3. A mattress-sewing machine comprising a mattress-support having a surface upon.

which the mattress is sustained, two recipro- 4eating needle-holders at one side of said support and operating alternately to receivethe needle, thrust one end thereof through the mattress and release the needle, said holders being arranged to direct the needle in a path 'oblique to the mattress-sustaining surface of the support and means for imparting relative oscillatory movement to the support andneedleholders to change the inclination of the path of the needle in said oblique plane relatively to the adjacent edge of the mattresssupport.

il. A mattress-sewing machine comprising two reciprocating needle-holders operating alternately to receive the needle, thrust one end thereof through the mattress'and release the needle, means 'for supporting the mattress with the side and edge faces thereof oblique to the path of the needle, whereby Athe needle is passed through the mattress in a plane oblique to said side and edge faces of the mattress, means whereby one of said holders thrusts the needle with its advance end through the mattress, lmeans wherebyv the second holder receives the advance end of the needle as it is released from the first holder and draws the needle partlythrough the mattress, mechanism for imparting relative, oscillatory movement to the mattress-supporting means and needle-holders While one end of theneedlc is embedded in the mattress and thereby change the inclination of the needle in said oblique plane to the edge face of the mattress, means acting on the second holder to thereafter return the, needle through the mattress in a path divergingfroin its former patl1,`.1neans whereby said needle is thereafter received by the first holder' and completely withdrawn'from the mattress, and means for producing a further relative oscillation of the mattress-supporting means and 'needle-holders at the time the needle is com letely withit is returned on a path diverging from itspath oflast withdrawal.

5. A'mattress-sewing machine comprising two reciprocating needle-holders operating alternately to receive the needle, thrust oner end thereof through the mattress and release the needle, means for supporting the mat tress with the side and edge face thereof oblique to the path of the needle whereby the needle is passed through the mattress in a plane oblique to said side and edge faces of the mattress, and means whereby one of said holders thrusts the needle with-its advance end through the mattress, means whereby the second holder receives the advance end of the needle as it is released from the first holder and draws the needle the mattress, mechanism for imparting r ative, oscillatory movement to the mattresssupporting means and needle-holders while one end of the needle is embedded in the mattress and thereby change the inclination .of

partly through the needle in said oblique plane to the edge on a path diverging from its last path of with.

drawal, and a take-up device located at one side of the mattress for drawing the-slack portion of the' thread through the mattress.

IOO

les'

6. A. mattress-sewing machine, comprising two reciprocatory needleholders operating alternately to receive the needle, thrust one end thereof through the mattress and release the needle, means for supporting the mattress with its side and edge faces oblique to the path of the needle, whereby the needle IIO is passed through the mattress in a plane Y `oblique to said side and edge faces, means whereby one of said holders thrusts said nee- .l

dle with its advance end through the 'mat-I tress, means whereby the second-holder receives the advance end of the .needle as it is released from the first holder and draws the needle partly through the mattress, means for imparting relative, oscillatory movement te the mattress-support and needle-holders while one end of the needle is embedded in the mattress, the oscillating part swinging on an axis approximately in line with the point at which the needle is so embedded in said mattress, means acting on the second holder on a )ath divereinfy from its last ath of withzv o l,

drawal.

7. A mattress-sewing machine comprising two reciprocatory needle-holders, a mattresssupport, the sustaining-surface of which is oblique to the path of the needle, said holders acting alternately to receive the needle thrust one end thereof through the mattress and release the needle, means whereby one of said holders thrusts the needle with its advance end through the mattress, means whereby the second holder receives the advance end of the needle as it is released from the irst holder and draws the needle partly through the mattress, mechanism for imparting oscillatory' movement to the said mattress-support While one end of the needle is embedded in the mattress and thereby change the inclination of the needle to the edge o'l`- the mattress, means acting on the second holder to thereafter return the needle throughv the mattress on a path diverging from its "l nier path, means whereby said needle 1s 1 ther per received by the 'first holder and completely withdrawn from the mattress, an d means for producing a further oscillation of the mattress-support when the' needle is withdravm therefrom, whereby, when the needle is again returned through the mattress, it is returned on a path diverging from its last path of withdrawal.

8. A mattress-sewing machine comprising Atvre reciprocatory need e-holders, a mattresssupport the sustaining-surface of which nis ob que to the path of the needle, said holdt 1 acting alternately to receive the needle, thrust one end thereof' through the mattress sold holders thrusts the needle with its adance end through the mattress, means whereby the second holder receives the advance end ofthe needle'asit is released from thefirst holder rind draws the needle partlythrough ,inechanism for impartingloscilery movement tothe said mattress-suprt, .vhile one end or the needle is 'embedded in the mattress and thereby changin g the inclif, oscillatiogot the mattresssupport when the thereof.

release needle, means whereby one' needle is withdrawn therefrom, whereby, when the needle is again returned through the mattress, it is returned on a path diverging froinits last path of withdrawal and `means cooperating with said support oscil- 'returning the needle through the mattress and withdrawing it from the side section to complete the stitch, means whereby tle angle of the needle and mattress is relatively changed both at the time the needle is embedded in the top section of the mattress at the middle of each stitch and when the needle is withdrawn from the edge section therei of at the end of each stitch and means for imparting a relative step-by-step movement to the mattress ahd needle whereby are formed blind zigzag stitches, the parts of which are diverged in the general direction of the line of stitches.

10. A mattress-sewing machine comprising a needle-actuating mechanism, a at work-support upon the top of which the work is supported, and means for imparting oscillatory motion to the support in the plane thereof to give appropriate inclination to the stitches and to advance the Work relatively to the needle-actuating mechanism.

11. A mattress-sewing machine comprising a needle-actuating mechanism, a flat work-support upon the top of which the work f is supported, and means for imparting to said( work-support a combined oscillatory and step-by-step bodily movement in the plane 12. A machine for the purpose specied comprisinga needle-actuating mechanism, a work-support, two pivot-pins located at one side of the support and adjacent to each other and upon which the supprt alternately swings, said support being movable relatively to the pins, in the direction of travel of the support, and means for imparting oscillatory movement to said support on lsaid pins. i

13. A machine for the purposespeciied comprising a needle-actuating mechanism, a flat work-support upon the top ,of which the work is supported, mechanism for advancing IIO said work step by step to present successive parts of the work to the needle, and means operating with said support-actuating mechanism adapted to turn or rotate said support to present all sides or edges of the work thereon to the needle.

v14. A mattresssewing machine compris-` 

